Centrica chairman Carr mulls role advising on defence cuts

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CENTRICA chairman Roger Carr has been approached by the government about taking a role on the board of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), as part of its plan to appoint business leaders to oversee efficiency drives across all Whitehall departments.

A number of business grandees have already been sounded out about the roles by Lord Browne, the former BP boss appointed earlier this year to spearhead the initiative, though talks are still at a preliminary stage.

Carr, who as the former chairman of Cadbury led the chocolatier’s defence against hostile bidder Kraft earlier this year, is understood to be receptive in principle to the idea of taking up the senior independent director post at the MoD, believing the role to be a highly important one as ever-controversial cuts to the defence budget start to bite.

However, he and Browne have yet to meet formally to discuss what such a position would entail, a process which will take place in the coming months.

Other business leaders approached about similar board director roles include GlaxoSmithKline chairman Sir Chris Gent, though concerns over potential conflicts of interest are said to have derailed his appointment.